Member Since: 05 Sep 2016
Location: Lanarkshire
Posts: 6
Tow-bar Advice on D4
Hi Folks,
This has probably been covered on here before but been unable to find, so apologies if it has.
I purchased a new D4 approx six months ago and have recently decided to fit a Tow-bar, I asked my dealer to quote on fitting a detachable item and was slightly surprised at the £900+ price.
My question, can the detachable items I see frequently for sale on here be installed to the existing socket on my car without further modifications and regarding electrics am I wrong to think this is a bit more complicated than plug and play loon and socket for light board etc.
Appreciate any help or feedback folks.
Ric
16th May 2017 11:56 pm
BBDisco3
Member Since: 23 Nov 2008
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 3640
Certainly the removable tow bar will fit without you needing anything else and come up on here quite often between £100 and £200 They are easily stolen so never leave it on.
If you go for original electrics kit then quite easy to fit and plug in to existing loom at nearside rear.
Electrics may then need activating but if they are for a simple lighting board you may be happy as they are.
No doubt someone will be along and give more info on this soon
17th May 2017 12:16 am
Robse
Member Since: 10 Jun 2014
Location: Cambridgeshire
Posts: 498
They tried ripping me off for fitting the electrics too !!
On the website they quote £284 for fitting ! With a second hand removable bar it's not too bad.
If you were talking to a dealer in Motherwell that is quite a good price!
As above, second hand tow ball for under £150 and about the same for electrics. Go for the 13-pin version as all newish trailers and caravans are wired that way - and an adaptor to do 7-pin if needed is less than a tenner.
The electrics are actually plug-in, but does involve a guddle underneath the back bumper for about an hour. The instructions are on this site somewhere. There is a bracket to be fitted behind the NSR light cluster which requires removing the bumper. There wasn't one on the D3 and I didn't bother with it and wrapped connectes in foam to stop rattle. So not removing the bumper saves a huge amount of labour.A vaccine does not stop you catching a virus, or passing it on, or getting ill from it, really ill. It does reduce the likelyhood of you dying when really, really ill. Stay Alive - KEEP AWAY FROM PEOPLE.
17th May 2017 11:54 am
Ork
Member Since: 05 Sep 2016
Location: Lanarkshire
Posts: 6
Gents,
Thanks very much for all the feedback, very helpful and appreciated.
Ric
17th May 2017 10:31 pm
mini8334
Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Tonbridge
Posts: 707
Tow trust removable2016 D4 Landmark
Santorini Black
Removable Tow-Trust
Spare Wheel Guard
-------------
Previous:
2007 D3
TDV6 GS
Automatic
117000
Blanked EGR
V8 Brake Upgrade
Harming Sat Nav Mod
Beanie Grill
De-Tango
17th May 2017 11:00 pm
Kimi
Member Since: 26 Mar 2013
Location: Home
Posts: 62
Question related to topic: are there any aftermarket removable tow bars which fit to OEM fitting but have different geometry? The OEM tow bar has the tow ball too low and my trailer is tilted downwards at the front. I'm looking for a tow bar which would have the tow ball somewhat higher.
18th May 2017 10:02 am
mini8334
Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Tonbridge
Posts: 707
My Tow Trust is higher than LR fixed:
2016 D4 Landmark
Santorini Black
Removable Tow-Trust
Spare Wheel Guard
-------------
Previous:
2007 D3
TDV6 GS
Automatic
117000
Blanked EGR
V8 Brake Upgrade
Harming Sat Nav Mod
Beanie Grill
De-Tango
+1 for removable Tow Trust though finding one will be a challenge as they ceased production at the back end of last year. Tow Trust fixed are still available thoughPaul.
06 Java Black HSE - gone
12 Baltic Blue HSE - gone
15 Fuji HSE Lux
Club Biscuits, mmmm nice!
Traxide/Luna hybrid & Yellow top
Some Prospeed bits
+ some other stuff
Club N.E.R.D.s.
18th May 2017 10:22 am
ecs0set
Member Since: 25 May 2017
Location: Dorset
Posts: 95
Minor thread bump as I'm in the same boat. I have the electrics (7-pin N+S) already fitted but no removable towbar came with the car.
I'm slightly worried about the stories of the removable ones coming loose but both the local towbar/caravan centre and the main dealer told me it was fine. If they haven't actually changed any parts, what's to stop the wobbly issue from the recall from turning up in a few years time?
I'm therefore tempted by the HD fixed one, but then that seems to locate in the same receiver and being fixed, the issue with it being fitted all the time is surely more relevant? *confused*
I have a heavy 4-bike Thule rack (quite a weight to be slinging about with 4 bikes on) and may (very) occasionally tow a boat, caravan or car trailer.
5th Jun 2017 5:52 pm
Sydney
Member Since: 11 Aug 2013
Location: St Neots
Posts: 903
In short the fixed towbar uses the same receiver but has two additional bars that bolt to the chassis. In the extremely unlikely event that the receiver fails the bar will still be attached to the vehicle.De-Tango
V8 Brakes
EGRs blanked
Running boards
3 flash indicators and clock on dash
Blingy grille...
Member Since: 25 May 2017
Location: Dorset
Posts: 95
Yes I've seen that picture. I don't fancy having to have a new rear beam installed down the line.
What about the Tow Trust ones?
5th Jun 2017 6:39 pm
Graycat
Member Since: 15 Jun 2014
Location: Leeds
Posts: 44
I've got the normal removable on my MY10 for towing a horse trailer and it's been fine.
It's pretty much a standard fitting and as long as you look after the retaining pin and don't exceed the downward pressure (~100kg I think but could be wrong) then it should be fine.
One thing to note though is that the removable ones are only rated to tow 3 tons rather than the 3.5T the car is rated at according the JLR at least. To tow 3.5t, you'll have to get a fixed one installed.
10th Jun 2017 8:07 pm
ecs0set
Member Since: 25 May 2017
Location: Dorset
Posts: 95
Thanks for the suggestions. In the end, I found a brand new LR HD fixed towbar for less than £200 from a main dealer which seems pretty good VFM. I believe the TowTrust one still uses the LR connection point and at least with the LR one, I might have some come back against them if it fails.
Next I need to swap from 7-pin to 13-pin electrics, I wonder if the car needs reprogramming? Perhaps the subject for another thread.
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